Will China Invade Taiwan? Xi Jinping Wears Army Fatigues While Inspecting Military Command Center

President Xi Jinping ordered the Chinese military on Tuesday to prepare for war as tension with Taiwan continues to grow. The order came during the president's visit to the joint operations command center of the Central Military Commission in Beijing where he ordered an increase in training for the troops as well as to bolster the country's military readiness for a war on any front.

According to ANI News, the Chinese leader said the military should devote all of its energy and carry out all work for combat readiness, and enhance its capability to fight and win. Xi instructed the armed forces and added how the armed forces should modernize the military as well as the national defense, including a thorough study and implementation of the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress. He also commanded the armed forces to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, as well as complete all the tasks entrusted to them by the Party of the people.

Last month, Xi called for the military to hasten its development, self-reliance, and strength in technology to better defend the nation’s interests abroad, which would likely raise the possibilities of future conflicts. The leader made similar pronouncements before as he did at China’s Central Military Commission, but his recent comments came at a critical time as tensions with the United States over Taiwan continue to escalate.

In relation to Taiwan, China continues to have an uncompromising policy toward the island nation, claiming it to be a breakaway province that will eventually be unified with the mainland. China’s hard-line attitude toward Taiwan is at odds with the U.S. and its western allies, however, Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taiwan escalated tensions and animosity a step further.

Xi also mentioned that the military leadership must focus on making the People’s Liberation Army’s goal of making the armed forces a world-class military by 2027. He said they must do all they can to fully realize this goal. Among the other goals set for the PLA by Xi, was a victory in all local wars.